DON'T PLUCK IT 75 



has been driven out into the wilderness* One of the 

 earliest debutantes of spring, the Trailing Arbutus, is 

 disappearing* Its early arrival, its rich perfume, and 

 seductive habit of nestling and hiding among last 

 year's leaves give it an irresistible charm* The 

 trailing stem has but a weak hold on the ground, and 

 as it is extremely tough it is often carelessly torn up* 

 All who must pluck the flower should be careful to cut 

 off as little of the stem as can satisfy them, and not 

 tear up the tender roots* 



The Hepatica, with its succeeding generations of 

 flowers and leaves, is surviving the hands of the 

 spoilers* The Blood-root dies so soon that it is 

 frequently overlooked, and the Spring Beauty withers 

 so helplessly in protest that there is but little tempta- 

 tion to pluck its spray of delicate pink* A weary 

 stroller with a bunch of wilted Trilliums is a lament- 

 able spectacle* The drooping of their white or 

 painted petals is a silent appeal that should be heeded* 

 Leave them where they grow* The Harebell, with 

 its frail and delicate cups of blue, seems able to defy 

 the encroaching grass and to flower through the 

 whole summer ; but it should not be forced to fight 

 the encroachment of man as well* Many of our wild 

 Orchids are blessed with a fatal beauty* The Showy 

 Orchis is growing rare, and the Fringed Orchis still 

 rarer* The Northern Calypso, with a delicacy of form 

 and tint that always eludes the artist, is, indeed, a 



